This new model provides an opportunity to prioritize human rights principles in future programmes. It also creates an opening for countries to redefine coordination across multiple sectors while investing in programmes that reduce barriers to health service access for women and girls, most at risk populations and others.

UNDP works with national partners and the Global Fund to improve management, implementation and oversight of Global Fund grants, while developing capacity for governments or local entities to assume the grant recipient role over time. UNDP supports countries as they ensure appropriate focus on human rights in addressing HIV, TB and malaria—grounding discussions in human rights principles, advancing engagement of all affected communities and relevant ministries and reducing human rights-related barriers to access.

“The Role of Human Rights in Responses to HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria” documents cases in which rights-based responses have resulted in positive health outcomes, noting that promoting human rights principles enhances disease prevention and increases accessibility and quality of services. Such responses support uptake of services and promote sustainability by empowering individuals to proactively address health needs.

“The Future of AIDS Coordination” reviews recent policy debates and financing trends, noting that how countries govern and coordinate national AIDS responses is crucial to ensure more strategic use of resources and sustain remarkable progress so far in the global AIDS response even as international funding shrinks. Transparent identification of national priorities and allocation of resources demand greater involvement by women and vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men, transgender people and sex workers. Partnerships between government and civil society are crucial, the paper says.

Effective HIV responses require strong leadership inside and outside government, at national and local levels. Governance and oversight structures must promote accountability, results and synergies between HIV and broader health efforts.